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Valarin, or the Eldest Speech, was the divine tongue of the Ainur, and the oldest of languages.[1] Valarin bears no relation to any other languages of Middle-earth, as it had originated beyond Arda.

History[]

As the Ainur were angelic beings who could communicate in thought, they did not need a verbal language. In fact, before the creation, the Ainulindalë was the purest form of language as it was thought itself, with a self-sufficient structure. Only Eru Ilúvatar showed the Ainur their music in a different form by adding the final note to their song: , "Be". However, Valarin was developed as part of their assumption of physical forms.

The Elves found Valarin alien, sometimes unpleasant, with very few of them ever deigning to learn the language. The Valar learnt Quenya instead to converse with the Elves, or with each other if Elves were present.[2] Little is known of Valarin, save a few words (mainly proper names) although it seems that Valarin used lengthy constructions. The Valarin word for Telperion is, for example, Ibrîniðilpathânezel, which is eight syllables long. Some Valarin words were adopted by the Elves as part of the growing Quenya lexicon, particularly in Vanyarin Quenya, the dialect spoken by the Vanyar.

Because Sauron was an Ainu, the Black Speech could be derived from a corrupt form of Valarin. In fact, nazg (the Black Speech word for "ring") is very similar to naškad, the Valarin word of the same meaning.[citation needed]

Background[]

Tolkien developed Valarin as a tongue spoken by superhuman beings, and so wished for it a very peculiar style. In fact, Valarin was wholly unrelated to Elvish and Mannish languages as well as Khuzdûl. Some scholars have conjectured that Tolkien took inspiration for Valarin from the Sumerian language, because the general style of the language of the gods of his mythos is reminiscent of such words as Etemenanki, the name of the ziggurat of Babylon.

In an earlier stage of the legendarium, three linguistic branches descended from Valarin: Oromëan, Aulëan, and Melkian, with all Elvish and Mannish languages arising from Oromëan.[3]

External links[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. "Tengwesta Qenderinwa and Pre-Fëanorian Alphabets Part 2" in Parma Eldalamberon, n. XVIII
  2. The History of Middle-earth, Vol. XI: The War of the Jewels, Part Four: "Quendi and Eldar"
  3. The History of Middle-earth, Vol. V: The Lost Road and Other Writings, chapter VII: "The Lhammas"
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